I have decided to learn to knit. I have started getting video's, kits and downloading free patterns.
As I am reading the pattern, I have run across something that I have not found an explanation for in the "learn to knit" instructions that are on the internet.
I would appreciate it if someone would explain this for me:
One of the patterns says cast on 134 stitches. I understand that part but right after that it has (162). I don't know what(162) means.
I'm sure that as time goes on I will have more questions and I will be back.
Feel free to answer in email, just make sure the word knitting is in the subject line.
Thanks in advance.

I have come across another question.
Several of the patterns I have been looking at say co a certain amount of st and add 3 or 6 etc. for the stitch.
How do you handle those extra stitches when you start that first row?

I have come across another question.
Several of the patterns I have been looking at say co a certain amount of st and add 3 or 6 etc. for the stitch.
How do you handle those extra stitches when you start that first row?

We really would have to see how it's worded in order to answer that. The pattern you linked to doesn't say that. However the stitch pattern instructions say "Cable Pattern, (multiple of 12 sts plus 6)" which mean the cable pattern is worked over multiples of 12 sts (12, 24, 36, 48, etc) plus 6 sts which are used to make the pattern come out right.

They're included in the instructions. They're not 'extra' exactly, they're needed to finish the stitch pattern, but they're not repeated across the row like the 12 sts are. Just knit the pattern as written and they'll be taken care of.

Yup...more than one size. If you notice in the beginning of the pattern, it may say mutiple sizes and the first set of instructions is the first size, then in brackets is the next size and so on. So, follow which size you would like. Does this help?

When I start to read a pattern it looks like greek and I think I will never get this.
I have been watching e-videos on the various stitches and techniques but the video always seems to quit before I'm ready for it too.
Right now I'm working my first project, a scarf. The biggest problem that I'm having is the p2, k2 across. I sometimes forget which direction I'm headed.